Wall



E. BERLINER WALL' Mayy 1o, 19'27. 1,628,351

Filed March 24, lge- Patented May 10, 1927.

y c izsisi `mariani orFLIcE.'

EMILE BERLINER, 0F WASHINGTON, DISTRICT COLUMBIA.

WALL.

The invention relates to walls, and more specificallyto a wall structure comprising a plurality of hollow cells ordepressions im-` -mediately beneath the surface thereof and imparting vto the surface of the wall the characteristics of diaphragms, possessmg marked qualitiesof resonance and sound relection and at the same time counteracting reverberation. L v

The invention is particularly applicable to masonry walls, such as those of auditoriums, theaters, concert halls, churches and the like, where good acoustics isa prime consideration. In masonry walls as at presentconstructed the solidity of the structure promotes reverberation, and such wallsv are found to be almost entirely lacking in that resonant property so essential for the pro-l duction of a good acoustic effect.

My prior UJS. Patent No. 1,573,475 dis@ closes a facing lfor walls comprising a plu-4 rality of independent vlbratory diaphragms,

which are axed to `the surface of thegvall. In the present invention, however, hollow cells are formed in the wall durin struction thereof, the members use in forming these cells being in no sense vibratory diaphragme, but serving simplyfas .molds or supports for forming. the hollow cells, which themselvesfimpart the desired resonant. quality to `the wall. n i

AAn object of my invention isy to provide a structure which is permanent and Anoninflammable and which, at `the same time,

' prising lthe present invention;

possesses the desired acoustic properties of -wood walls, being'of vibratory character and a goed reflector of sound.

A further object is to provide a cellulark wall lstructure so formed.l that aresonantl imparted to the surface of the quality is wall.

Otherv `and.further objects willfbe apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. lis a view, partly in section, of a wall provided with' the cell-like members com Fig. 2 1s a sect1onal view taken along line f2-2ofFig.1;

. Fi 3 is a perspective view cell-like members o i Fig. 4 isa perspective viewtof a modified of one of the I form of cell-like member;

'Fig'. 5 is a plan view, partly in section, of

a modified form of wall structure; and

the con- Application filed March 24, 1926. Serial No'.'97,01\2

^ Fig. 6 .is a vertical section shown on Fig. 5...

'Referringmore particularly to the drawings: i

The coarse plaster, or the like, base surface -1- has a plurality of members 2 attached thereto, as shown diagramni'atically on Fig. 1. The members y2 each comprise a base portion and a rim 3 `designed to space of the structure the base portion .from the surface `l, and n they are preferably. of circular form as shown, forv thepurpose of anchoring them to the surface 1, as described hereinafter. I do not, however, restrict the invention to thel use of circular members; those of any other suitable form and dimensions, for example, hexagonal," octagonalor the`like, may be used with equally good results. The members 2 are preferably made of cardboard or the like, and are aiiixed to the surface `l and to each other by means of nails or other suitable and convenient fastening means for holding them temporarily in position. These cell-like members may also be made of wire mesh fabric, as shown on Fig. 4, foraminous metal ,or other suitable material. When applied to the unnished surface of a wall as set forth above, the cell molds 2 are covered withha finishing coat 4 of so-called acoustic plaster, that is, a mixture of plaster, cement or wthe like, .and a filler, such forr example, as sawdust, etc., adapted to aid in producing the desired resonance. Ordinary plaster or cement may also be used as a finishing coating, but the acoustic plaster is preferable. This cementitious lcoating fills in .has been applied, would be impractical, if

not impossible, and since their presence does not impair the vacoustic properties of the finished wall,the are allowed to remain, serving to some egree as a reinforcement for the wall. j

A modification of my invention is shown on Fig. 5 and 6, wherein depressions, the equivalents ofthe cellular spaces` formed in the previously described embodiment, are made in the unnished or base surface of a p wall. TheseA depressions 5 are shallow and are covered with a sheet et -abrie et any kind, paper, eardboard wire gauze or oraminous metal, ete., as indicated at (i on the drawing. The Whole is then covered with a layer ot' acoustic plaster .of other cementitious coating, as described hereinbei'ore, and results in a resonant Wall surface which, however, has a finished appearance. Y

l? rom the foregoing it will be apparent that .l have provided a Wall structure which is permanent, iireproot and inexpensive, and which possesses the marked acoustic properties ot Wood Walls.

l do not herein claim the speeilie structure ot an auditorium Wall as described and elaiuied in my U. S. Patent No. 31,573,475, et February 1G, 1926, but l do elaiinzl. A Wall structure formed adjacent its surface with a plurality of hollow cell meinbers covered with a resonant cementitious material.

2. it Wall structure comprising a layer of plaster, a plurality ot hollow molds aliixed thereto, and a inisli layer et acoustic plaster Leaaeei covering said molds and extending between them for securing them permanently to the Wall.

3. ln an auditorium or the like, a Wall covered with cells which are atlixed thereon by a layer oi'f cenentitious material Which covers said cells and thereby provides VilorA tory partitions which serve as diaphragme,

Ll. ln an auditorium or the like, a Wall, a plurality ot Wire mesh cell-like members aftixed thereto, said members beingl embedded in and atlixed to the wall by a layer ot 'eementitious` material, whereby the finished wall Will contain a plurality ot vibratory partitions which serve as diaphragme.

A construction which comprises Celllilie members atlixed to a surface of a chainber and covered with a resonantl eementitious material.

G. Wall structure formed adjacent its surface with a plurality of hollow cells eovered with a resonant eelnentitious material.

ln testimony whereof l al'ix my signature.

EMlLl BERLINER. 

